The Austrian (above) was part of a seven-strong group at the top of the leaderboard heading into the closing stages of day one at Gary Player Country Club but an approach to four feet on the last saw him break out of the pack and get to five under.

Player, who is regarded as one of the greatest in the history of golf, was in the UAE capital on Monday to announce that his company Black Knight International will be hosting a Gary Player Invitational event in association with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on February 8, 2016.

Boulden enjoyed something of a busman's holiday at the start of the week, partnering Clarke and two amateur golfers at the star-studded Gary Player Invitational, but the Conwy GC member was delighted to be involved.

Player, who was speaking ahead of his Gary Player Invitational Europe at Wentworth this week, said that watching McIlroy on the weekend has left him in no doubt that he would be the next player to join his exclusive club.

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